Discussions

I take it that I should chose a fairly simple airplane (aileron, elev, rudder, and speed control) for success in flying a UAV using the APM2.5.  I've been thinking about making a large UAV using the wing from my 5 meter Thermic XXXL glider for the wing.  The Thermic currently has eight servos is the three piece wing for ailerons (2) flaps (4) and spoilers (2).  Would it be possible to use my 12 channel Futaba receiver to directly control some of the functions, and just use the APM 2.5 to control the basic control functions? Or am I missing something important?  All the wing's control functions can be locked down (execpt for the ailerons), but I believe takeoffs and landings could be improved with the use of flaps.  I would build a fiberglass fuse that would look something like the UAV on this site's background--a pusher with a glider-like wing.

I see the website seems to recommend much smaller foam airplanes. I've found the while foam is inexpensive and fairly easy to repair (if needed), fiberglass and carbon fiber airplanes always fly better. I fly EPP foam wings for use in slope combat, but fiberglass gliders fly much better and faster on that same slope. Are foam powered gliders used for UAV because crashes are so likely due to autopilot unreliability?  Please believe that I am not trying to slam anyone or any product, just trying to get into UAV flying.  I've flown radio controlled airplane and gliders for many years (about 35), but have never even seen UAV flight except for the news and movies, and you can't believe either of those sources for information.